August 17, 1992 Council Meeting
August 17, 1992
The regularly scheduled meeting of Mayor and Council was held August 17, 1992 at
Smyrna City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 o'clock p.m. by
presiding officer Mayor A. Max Bacon. All council members were present except for
Jim Hawkins. Also present was City Administrator Bob Thomson, City Attorney
Charles E. Camp, City Clerk Melinda Dameron, Parks and Recreation Director Sherry
Reavis, Police Chief Stan Hook, Personnel Director Jane Mears, City Engineer Ken
Hildebrandt, Communications Director Steve Ciaccio, Sharon Williams representing
the Finance Department, Cheryl Crain representing the Library, Larry Dunn
representing Public Works, Steve Gaddy representing the Fire Department and
representatives of the press.
..
Invocation was given by Samuel Giddings, pastor of Kings Chapel Church followed
by the pledge to the flag.
CITIZENS INPUT: Mayor Bacon stated that the Smyrna Community Center was recently
voted "Best Place to Host a Reception" by Inside Cobb magazine and presented the
award to Sherry Reavis and staff.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
(A) Rezoning request - 4.67 acres in Land Lot 271 from R-20 to RAD conditional
(Chateau Walk Subdivision)
Bob Thomson stated that Bear Properties is requesting this rezoning to continue
development of Chateau Walk Subdivision. This item was tabled at the last meeting
and there was no opposition.
Gerald McCravey represented Jack Thompson and stated the concerns addressed at
the last meeting have been clarified. There are only two lots in this tract that
adjoin the flood plain and none of the property is in the wetlands. The elevation
of these two lots will be raised one foot and the homes will be constructed so
that the first floor elevation is at least 2 feet above flood plain level. Mr.
McCravey said the city ordinance requires that they be 2 feet above flood plain
level but FHA requires 3 feet and they will probably build to meet FHA
... requirements.
Councilman Bill Scoggins said the majority of the opposition at the last meeting
was not due to the rezoning, but with problems they have had with their homes
built by Bear Properties. Mr. McCravey said they had met with those homeowners
and are in the process of correcting those problems.
Councilman Newcomb said he was concerned that the future owners would expect the
city to correct flooding problems in their yard and asked Mr. McCravey how much
the back yards would be built up. Mr. McCravey said he would raise the yards one
foot which would bring them out of the flood plain. This only impacts two, or
possibly three lots in the subdivision.
Jack Cramer made a motion the rezoning be approved from R-20 to RAD conditional
with the stipulation that any house in the flood plain meet FHA requirements, 2
to 3 feet above flood plain to exceed the 100 flood plain level and also that the
zoning be approved according to the plans submitted to council. Ron Newcomb
seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
(B) Variance request - reduce side yard setback at 3479 Dunn Street
Bob Thomson stated that Mr. Adam Smith is requesting this variance to reduce the
side yard from 10 to 7.5 feet for the addition of a deck to the rear of his home.
Mr. Smith has provided a letter from the adjoining neighbor stating they have no
objections and there was no opposition.
..
Mr. Smith stated the deck is already under construction and he did not realize
that a permit was required. At the request of the adjoining neighbor, Mr. Smith
said he would also construct a 7 foot lattice wall and 6 foot wooden fence at the
end of the deck to ensure her privacy.
Councilman Pete Wood said that Mr. Hawkins could not be here tonight but he had
visited Mr. Smith's home and had no problem with the variance request. Mr. Wood
said he also could see no problems from the standpoint of impacting surrounding
neighbors. Mr. Wood made a motion the variance be approved provided that Mr.
Smith provide a 6 foot wooden fence and 7 foot high lattice wall as agreed, to
August 17, 1992 meeting - continued
protect the privacy of the adjoining neighbor. Wade Lnenicka seconded the motion
which carried 6-0.
(C) Variance request - accessory structure at 1223 Hill street
Bob Thomson stated that Mrs. Mae Gustafson has requested a variance to reduce the
rear yard setback from 10 to 5 feet for construction of a carport at her home.
Letters were submitted from the adjacent owners stating they have no objections
and there was no opposition from the audience.
Charles Gustafson represented his mother in the variance request and stated that
she is ill and it was necessary that she move in with him. The house is for sale
with a pending contract, contingent on approval of the carport addition.
......
Councilman Bill Scoggins made a motion the variance be approved as requested.
Wade Lnenicka seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
(D) Ad valorem tax roll back
Councilman Pete Wood stated that in June, council adopted a tentative rollback
rate of 11.60 for fiscal year 1993. The summary of the tax digest has been
provided by Cobb County with a complete breakdown of the increases through
reassessment and new construction. Under the new state law, any increase in taxes
resulting from reassessment must be advertised for a public hearing. Under the
1993 digest, we have deducted the increase resulting from reassessment which
results in a tax rollback rate of 11.57 mills.
There was no opposition and Mr. Wood made a motion the official millage rate for
1993 be set at 11.57 mills. Bill Scoggins seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
FORMAL BUSINESS:
(A) Bid opening - 1992/93 pickup truck for Parks Department
Bids were opened, read and recorded as follows:
...",
Days Chevrolet
Wade Ford
Hardy Fleet Group
$14,126.21
$14,065.70
$11,257.70
Councilman Jack Cramer made a motion the bids be turned over to the committee for
their recommendation back to full council. Pete Wood seconded the motion which
carried 6-0.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING PERMITS: Nothing to report.
BID AWARDS:
(A) Water meters - Utility Services division
Councilman Pete Wood made a motion the bid for water meters be awarded to two
vendors, based on their low bids. The bid for 3/4" to 2" meters will go to
Southern Meter and larger meters 3" to 6" will be awarded to Davis Meter. Bill
Scoggins seconded the motion which carried 6-0.
CONSENT AGENDA:
(A) Approval of August 3, 1992 minutes
(B) Budget adjustments
(C) Approval to request bids for H.V.A.C. maintenance service
(D) Approval to request bids for elevator maintenance service
(E) Change date of first meeting in September to September 8
--
Bill Scoggins made a motion the consent agenda be approved. Pete Wood seconded
the motion which carried 6-0.
COUNCIL INPUT: In the absence of Laurel Best, John Patrick called on Cheryl
Crain for a report from the Library.
August 17, 1992 meeting - continued
Councilman Ron Newcomb said the Community Development Committee would meet again
next week to discuss a tree ordinance. Also, he had spent a considerable amount
of time last week looking at drainage problems on Highland Drive and Dundee and
would continue to plan strategies to address those problems.
Councilman Bill Scoggins said funds have been approved in the budget for
modifications to the Fire Station on Spring Road and some negative comments were
made during the recent election about the condition of the building and
furniture. Mr. Scoggins apologized to the voters in that ward and stated we were
in the process of making improvements to the interior.
...
Councilman Jack Cramer presented a plaque from the Smyrna T-Ball Association to
the Parks and Recreation Department for their support this past season.
Sherry Reavis gave a report from the Parks Department.
Mr. Cramer said that he would conduct his first community ward meeting on
September 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Center and had already talked to a
number of citizens concerning problems they are having.
Councilman Lnenicka called on Police Chief Stan Hook for a report. Mr. Lnenicka
said he recently received a letter from a citizen commending Officer Joe Tyson
for the manner in which he handled an arrest situation recently.
Mr. Lnenicka said rezoning signs have been posted on property at the corner of
Atlanta Road and Creatwood Trail to change from NS to GC for construction of a
finance business establishment. The owners will tear down the gas canopies and
islands and expand the building which should improve the appearance; however,
their business also will include repossession of cars and storage on the lot for
sale. Mr. Lnenicka said he was concerned with that aspect and it would be coming
up soon for a public hearing.
Councilman Pete Wood said the Finance Committee also continues to meet on a
regular basis but did not have anything of major importance to announce.
...,
Mayor Bacon reminded the residents who are disabled or 62 or older that they must
come to City Hall to apply for our tax and sanitation exemptions although they
may have already filed for homestead exemption in Cobb County. Also, widows whose
spouses were receiving our tax exemption should also come in to re-apply in their
name.
~~ness, meeting adjourned at 8,08 p.m.
A. MAX BACON, MAYOR
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BILL SCOGGINS, WARD 3'
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CHARLES PETE WOOD, WARD 7
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MELINDA DAMERON,
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